Katong clinics shophouse on East Coast Road for sale at $9.8 mil

The shophouses on East Coast Road are renowned for their rich heritage, boasting traditional businesses that have been around for decades. Unfortunately, some have recently closed, such as the Glory Catering restaurant at 139 East Coast Road, after nearly 60 years of operation, and the Ampang Niang Tou Fu (Yong Tau Fu) at 225 East Coast Road, which closed its doors in May 2022, after over three decades.

However, thanks to the revival of some of these businesses, such as Chin Mee Chin, customers can continue to indulge in its famous fluffy buns with kaya, sugee cake and sugar rolls. The original owners sold the coffeeshop in 2018, however, the neighbour and long-term customer, Lim Kian Chun, group CEO of Ebb & Flow Group, reopened the business in 2021 as the new Chin Mee Chin.

At the same time, the sale of a nearby heritage shophouse at 207 East Coast Road is currently underway. The freehold shophouse has a commercial zoning with the current use as a clinic, having been owned by the Loh family, including Loh Lik Peng, founder and CEO of Unlisted Collection and the hospitality group behind 1929 on Keong Saik Road, Majestic Hotel at Bukit Pasoh Road, and Wanderlust on Dickson Road.

The double-storey shophouse was built sometime in 1929 and sits on a freehold site of 1,500 sq ft, with a total built-up area of 2,700 sq ft. With its commercial zoning, the unit can be purchased by foreigners without incurring any additional buyer’s stamp duty.

The shophouse enjoys great road frontage, as well as a high footfall due to the bus stop located at its front doorstep. Given its commercial zoning, the first level of the shophouse is ideal for a clinic, a vet clinic, a pet shop or a gym, while the upper floor can be converted into a boutique co-living concept with prior approval from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Meanwhile, an intermediate shophouse at 288 East Coast Road is also on the market. Set on a freehold site of 1,353 sq ft, with a total built-up area of 2,500 sq ft, the shophouse is zoned residential with commercial on the first storey. The second level has been given provisional permission for a change of use into serviced apartments, allowing it to be converted into a co-living space with nine beds.

The asking price for the shophouse is $5.6 million ($2,240 psf), making it a viable option for those looking to break into the heritage shophouses market.

The Tengah EC condominium is a green building concept incorporating sustainable materials in its construction and design. Its air-conditioning and lighting systems are energy-efficient to save energy and cost. The condominium is also equipped with a rainwater harvesting system to ensure the availability of water for laundry, gardening and other tasks. Residents of Tengah EC enjoy a sustainable and energy-saving living experience.

Finally, given that East Coast Road is a Secondary Settlement area, the properties at 207 and 288 East Coast Road can be extended by five storeys. As such, the properties are a great opportunity for those looking to invest in freehold shophouses with opportunity for growth.